MEDIA ADVISORY
December 8, 2015
Contact: Merrill Miller, 202-238-9088 ext. 105, merrillmiller@americanhumanist.org
The American Humanist Association with its sister organization, the Center for Freethought Equality, is hosting a reception and awards ceremony to honor members of Congress who have made significant contributions to the secular and humanist movements.
WHEN: Wednesday, December 9, 2015, from 6:00pm-7:30pm
WHERE: House Visitors Center, Room 200, Washington, DC, 20510
WHO: The event will honor U.S. Representative Jim Himes (CT-04) with the Science Advocate Award for introducing the Darwin Day Resolution, U.S. House Resolution 548, in Congress for the past two consecutive years. The Darwin Day Resolution would mark Charles Darwin’s birthday, February 12, as a national celebration of reason, science and the Theory of Evolution.
The event will also recognize U.S. Representative Joseph Pitts (PA-16) with the International Religious Freedom Advocate Award for his work on U.S. House Resolution 290. This resolution calls for the U.S. to support a global repeal of blasphemy laws, which are used in many countries to discriminate against and even executive atheists, humanists and other religious minorities.
American Humanist Association Executive Director Roy Speckhardt will also be in attendance.
WHY: This event recognizes the accomplishments of elected leaders in 2015 and shows appreciation for their support of the humanist values of science, reason and human rights. It also provides an opportunity for members of Congress and their staff to meet with local humanists and members of the nonreligious community to learn more about issues that are important to them.
MORE INFORMATION: Members of the press who are interested in attending or who would like to RSVP to the event should contact Merrill Miller, communications associate, at 202-238-9088 ext. 105.
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Founded in 1941 and headquartered in Washington, DC, the American Humanist Association (AHA) works to protect the rights of humanists, atheists, and other nontheistic Americans. The AHA advances the ethical and life-affirming philosophy of humanism, which—without beliefs in any gods or other supernatural forces—encourages individuals to live informed and meaningful lives that aspire to the greater good of humanity.
The Center for Freethought Equality is a sister organization of the American Humanist Association dedicated to lobbying and political advocacy. It is the only secular organization with a political action committee, the Freethought Equality Fund, which can give financial support to candidates for public office.